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Petit Spa at Malmaison, Manchester - 4 bubbles
With a host of humorous touches, it's clear that the Malmaison chain doesn't take itself too seriously. However, it certainly pays special attention to customer service and does everything to make your time there memorable -- for all the right reasons. Our Good Spa Spy found a subtly-sexy hotel just a hop, skip and a jump away from Manchester's Piccadilly station. What's not to love in a spa where even the chairs give you a massage?
Was it easy to book?
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
What happens afterwards?
Long-term effects
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
Was it easy to book?
Yes, I knew exactly what I wanted and the spa reception staff were eager to help.
First impressions?
The hotel is a charming six-storey red-brick Victorian building-- literally a minute's walk from Manchester Piccadilly rail station. I walked alongside the windows of the inviting brasserie to reach the cordoned entrance of the hotel. I made my way through the revolving doors with my suitcase and headed across the black-and-white chequerboard floor to the main hotel reception across the foyer.
How did they welcome you?
The receptionist was friendly and efficient, spontaneously volunteering useful facts -- such as the restaurant will stop taking orders in five minutes! The reception area had a cool and moody feel with its dark wood, candles, and rich scarlet and berry velvet furnishings.
What happens next?
It was late, so I made my way straight up to my room. I was immediately struck by the unisex appeal of my grey pinstripe-carpeted room with its taupe walls, black furniture and slate-toned cushions. The room had a modern feel, and was comfortable, with a flat-screen TV, and separate grey-tiled bathroom containing Malmaison's own-brand body/hair wash and conditioner, a power shower and bath.
One peaceful night's sleep later, I made my way down to the brasserie on the ground floor for breakfast. Breakfast is quite a lively affair. The dining area is informal and has quirky Malmaison (or "mal" as they like to call themselves) touches. Milk is served in a cow-print "malk" jug, the butter portion is wrapped French-style in branded greaseproof paper, and Yakult drinks nestle amongst the yoghurts. Portions are large and the buffet is fresh and tempting, with the exception possibly of the Bircher muesli that seemed to be a mix of semi-soft Weetabix mixed with porridge oats.
I made my way back, past the cosy private dining booth, to the reception, where I took the lift down to the basement to Petit Spa. The lift doors opened and I was greeted by a Buddha bust, illuminated by tea-lights. Subtle meditation-style music accompanied me down the moody, dark corridor to the Petit Spa reception. A young, well-groomed receptionist greeted me and led me to the changing room. The receptionist assigned me a locker, instructing me to get changed and then come back to the reception. There wasn’t anyone else using the spa at this early hour, so I had the changing area to myself. The changing room was clean and smart, with eight shiny black lockers, spotlights and grey "slate" floor.
Size-wise, the room was fine for two or three people, but Petit Spa Manchester has four treatment rooms, two nail bars, plus sauna, sanarium and tanning booth, so it would have been very cosy had the spa been full. And there's only one shower.
Which treatments did you have?
I had an ESPA Holistic body treatment with hot stones (90 minutes, £90).
What were the treatments like?
Robed up and ready, I made my way back to the spa reception. The receptionist led me to the relaxation area to complete a consultation questionnaire. I sat on one of the four electronic massage chairs to complete my form, and then headed for the refreshments table to grab a glass of water. There were plenty of fresh glasses and a selection of herbal teas -- all free -- which was nice There was also a good stack of magazines. But I had no time for reading as Katie, my therapist, came to collect me for my treatment.
Katie took me to one of the four smart treatment rooms. The room was decorated in modern, neutral tones and had two massage couches in it, covered in black towels. Katie quickly explained that she would start the treatment with a body brush and scrub on the left-hand couch then continue on the right-hand one once I'd showered off. Katie asked me to undress down my knickers, hang up my robe and lie face down on the left couch. I dutifully obliged and awaited her return a couple of minutes later.
The Holistic Body Treatment with Hot Stones uses ESPA products. Katie started off by placing a dab of one of the oils on my wrist for me to check I liked it. Katie had chosen ESPA's "Fitness" oil to address the aching muscles I’d identified on my form. I liked the sharp citrus fragrance, so "Fitness" oil it was.
First up was a body brush and scrub with Katie working her way down my body with the brush, followed by ESPA's refreshing exfoliating scrub. The scrub smelled great and felt effective and, thankfully, not too tickly. Katie then repeated the process on the front of my body before asking me to shower off in the large iridescent mosaic-tiled shower across the room. Katie gave me brief instructions on how to use the shower, pointing out the shower gel and fresh towel.
I showered off the grainy exfoliator and towelled myself dry before arranging myself face down on the equally comfortable second couch. Katie knocked and entered to commence part two: the massage, facial and head massage. Katie began by massaging my back and shoulders, working her way down my body with medium firm movements, as I'd requested. Katie varied her techniques, incorporating her forearms for a stronger, deeper massage on my back, and drawing my arms behind my back to get under my shoulder blades.
To begin with, it was just masseuse and oil, but Katie seamlessly introduced the hot stones, firstly by using them to warm her own massaging hands, then using the stones within the massage strokes and placing them at various points on my body. The massage seemed well choreographed and was only interrupted by Katie crossing the room to get the stones, and when one slid off my lower back on to the hard floor. Katie continued the pleasantly warming massage on my front and, had it not been for the noise of the stone hitting the floor, I would have probably fallen asleep.
The soothing massage came to an end and the facial element began. Katie upped the tempo, quickly applying a generous amount of ESPA's Hydrating Cleansing Milk to my face and chest and placing lotion-infused eye-pads over my closed eyes. Next, Katie exfoliated my face, shoulders and chest with ESPA's refining skin polish, before toning with Floral Spa Fresh toner.
Katie talked me through the products she was using, and their benefits as she went along, which I found useful and informative. Katie then applied a cool and soothing eye cream to my eye area, and moisturised my face with 24-hour moisturising complex, which she said she'd chosen to suit my combination skin. With the facial over, Katie ended the treatment with a fantastic head massage with ESPA Pink Hair and Scalp mud. I love a good head massage, and this one was thorough and firm, helping me to come round from the more chilled massage and facial elements.
Katie whispered that the treatment had come to an end and went to get me a glass of chilled water, before leaving me to make my way back to the changing area.
How did you feel afterwards?
I felt beautifully relaxed. My skin was noticeably softer on both my body and face. It was a shame that I couldn't leave the scalp mud in my hair for a while but I had a meeting to go to.
What happens afterwards?
I quickly got changed and made my way back to my room for a quick shower to wash the mud out of my hair before meeting a colleague for lunch.
Lunch in the Brasserie was a delicious and stylish affair. I particularly liked the local produce on the menu and had an amazing "Royal Warrant" steak from the grill that was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented. The service was top-notch, too.
Long-term effects
Three days later, my skin still felt lovely, and the spot that was looking like it wanted to become a permanent fixture on my chin, dried out and disappeared. Result.
Was it worth it?
The ESPA Holistic body treatment with hot stones is pretty good value; the different elements within the treatment make it feel like you're getting even more for your money.
What else could you have?
A range of reasonably-priced day packages. A full menu of treatments for men, from a Jessica "executive foot grooming" to an ESPA aromatherapy fitness massage. Pete Spa also features double-treatment room packages, either for romantic couple treats or girly Friday-nights-in. Wraps, massages and facials, many of them featuring hot stone therapy, ESPA treatments, and finishing touches including waxing, brow-tinting and shaping.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
To arrive early enough for dinner -- ideally with half-a-dozen friends in tow to justify booking the private dining area!
Any special features?
The Lobster Pot tanning booth.
Who do you think would like it?
Malmaison/Petit Spa would appeal to a younger or at least young-at-heart audience. It’s friendly, un-stuffy and offers good food and service. The "mal" brand has a slightly sexy edge to it and would appeal to younger couples looking for something smooth but affordable. Malmaison Manchester is just a stone's throw from Piccadilly station so is a good, convenient choice for business guests.
Petit Spa is not huge (obviously, given the name), but has been thoughtfully designed, with a Thai feel that works well. The colours are dark, the lighting attractively subdued, and there are humorous/imaginative touches, such as the "lobster pot" St Tropez booth.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
It's an attractive spa with good treatments and a friendly atmosphere. The staff are friendly and the space is well-maintained, with a relaxation area that lives up to its name. The changing facilities are clean, but space is limited, and there's only one shower, which detracts from the comfort.
See more on how we rate the spas
Would you go again?
I would happily stay at the Malmaison Manchester again, and would be interested in seeing how it compares to other Mals.
We visited Petit Spa, Malmaison Manchester, in February 2010
See also:
* Contact details for Malmaison Petit Spa
* Hot stone therapy
* Read more reviews
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